Monitoring ground-engaging products for earth working equipment

ABSTRACT

A product and system for identifying and monitoring a characteristic including the part ID, presence, condition, usage and/or performance of a ground-engaging product used on various kinds of earth working equipment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon International Application No. PCT/US2021/047384, filed Aug. 24, 2021, “which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/070,922 filed Aug. 27, 2020, both entitled “MONITORING GROUND-ENGAGING PRODUCTS FOR EARTH WORKING EQUIPMENT.” Each of these applications are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and made a part hereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a device and system for identifying and monitoring characteristics such as part identification, presence, condition, usage and/or performance of ground-engaging products such as ground engaging products used on earth working equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In earth working activities (e.g., mining), ground engaging products are commonly provided on earth working equipment to protect the underlying equipment from undue wear and, in some cases, also perform other functions such as breaking up the ground ahead of the digging edge. During use, such ground-engaging products can encounter heavy loading and highly abrasive conditions, which can lead to wear or damage to the products, less usable life of the products, and/or reduced efficiency for the earth working equipment. Moreover, a ground engaging product will occasionally encounter a material that is harder than the surrounding material being mined (e.g., a rock), subjecting the product to impact and/or higher loading that may lead to deformation, cracking, and/or a higher wear rate of the product than would otherwise be expected. If the products are not replaced at the appropriate time, a product may wear beyond the expected life, break, or become unexpectedly separated from the equipment, which may result in lower equipment digging efficiency and/or may expose other components of the earth working equipment to unnecessary wear. A separated ground engaging product may also cause damage to downstream processing equipment. For example, if a separated ground engaging product is fed into a crusher, the product may be ejected and cause a hazard to workers, or it may become jammed and cause costly crusher downtime. A jammed crusher requires shutting down the machine and having an operator dislodge the part, which at times may be a difficult, time-consuming and/or hazardous process. Additionally, continuing to operate the excavating equipment with missing ground engaging products can decrease overall productivity, and may cause the base, upon which the product was secured, to experience unnecessary wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure pertains to devices and systems for monitoring ground-engaging products for earth working equipment. The system can be used to monitor characteristics of ground-engaging products (such as presence, part identification, condition, performance, and/or usage of ground-engaging products) used on earth working equipment in mining, construction and other earth working operations.

In one example, a wear part includes a monitoring device secured to an interior surface of the wear part such that the monitoring device is secured to a margin surface of the wear part, positioned so that a gap exists with the base, and/or oriented to be directed at least partially outward.

In one example, a wear part for securing to a base of earth working equipment includes an interior surface that opposes the base and includes a margin surface situated adjacent an exterior surface that engages the ground; a recess in the margin surface; and a monitoring device secured in the recess. In some examples, the monitoring device is positioned so that a gap exists between a rearward face of the monitoring device and the base. In one example, the monitoring device is oriented to be directed at least partially outward.

In another example, a wear part has an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a cavity for receiving a base for mounting the wear part. A monitoring device is secured to the interior surface near an outer edge of the wear part.

In another example, a wear part includes upper and lower legs and a bight portion that connects the upper and lower leg, each of the legs and bight portion define an interior surface facing a direction of mounting, the bight portion including a recessed portion for receiving a base for mounting the wear part to earth working equipment, each leg includes a groove that opens in the rear of the wear part, and located within the recessed portion is a recess sized and shaped to secure a monitoring device.

In another example, a wear part includes upper and lower legs that define a cavity for receiving a base for mounting the wear part. The interior surface in the cavity includes a monitoring device. The surface of the wear part with the monitoring device has a surface that allows the monitoring device to be positioned at least partially outward.

In another example, a shroud for mounting on a front edge portion of a bucket includes a pair of spaced legs to straddle the front edge portion and an interior surface. The interior surface includes an inner surface of each of the legs and a front surface connecting the inner surfaces. The interior surface is configured to define a cavity to receive the front edge portion of the bucket and has a central cavity axis that extends rearwardly from the front surface. A monitoring device is secured to the interior surface laterally offset from the central cavity axis.

In another example, a shroud for mounting on a front edge of a bucket including a pair of spaced legs to straddle the front edge portion and an interior surface. The interior surface is defined by an inner surface of each of the legs and a front surface connecting the inner surfaces and configured to define a cavity to receive the front edge portion. The interior surface includes (i) bearing surfaces to contact the front edge portion and (ii) a recess with a base surface that is spaced inward of the bearing surfaces to define a gap between the base surface and the front edge portion. A monitoring device is secured to the interior surface within the recess such that the monitoring device is spaced inward of the bearing surface and spaced from the front edge portion.

In another example, a shroud for mounting on a front edge of a bucket including a pair of spaced legs to straddle the front edge portion, an exterior surface, and an interior surface. The interior surface is defined by an inner surface of each of the legs and a front surface connecting the inner surfaces and configured to define a cavity to receive the front edge portion. The interior surface includes (i) bearing surfaces to contact the front edge portion and (ii) a recess extending from the exterior surface to a first location spaced from the exterior surface. A monitoring device is secured to the interior surface in communication with the recess.

In another example, a shroud for mounting on a front edge of a bucket including a pair of spaced legs to straddle the front edge portion and an interior surface. The interior surface is defined by an inner surface of each of the legs and a front surface connecting the inner surfaces and configured to define a cavity to receive the front edge portion. The cavity has a central cavity axis that extends rearwardly from the front surface The interior surface includes a central surface to contact the front edge portion, and a flank surface to each lateral side of the central surface. Each of the flank surfaces curves outwardly and forwardly from the central surface, and includes a recess having a central recess axis that is laterally angled relative to the central cavity axis. A monitoring device is secured in the recess.

The various above-noted aspects and examples of the invention can be used independently of each other or collectively with all or some of the different aspects of the invention. The noted aspects are exemplary summary observations of certain ideas of the various concepts of the invention and are not intended to be exhaustive or essential. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of the invention, reference may be made to the following description and accompanying Figures that describe and illustrate various configurations and concepts related to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a mining excavator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hoe bucket.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lip of a bucket with a wear assembly (including a wear member and a lock).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the wear members shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a side view of the wear member shown in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 is back perspective view of the wear member shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 7 is a scaled up partial view illustrating a monitoring device installed in the shroud shown in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a cross section view of the teeth and wear member shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second lip of a second bucket with a second wear assembly (including a second wear member and a second lock).

FIG. 10 is a side view of the wear member shown in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is back perspective view of the wear member shown in FIG. 9 with a monitoring device shown in a first location.

FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the teeth and wear member shown in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 13 is back perspective view of the wear member shown in FIG. 9 with a monitoring device shown in a second location.

FIG. 14 is a cross section view of the teeth and wear member shown in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating an example monitoring device.

FIG. 16 is a cross section view along line 16-16 illustrating the monitoring device shown in FIG. 15 .

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the monitoring device shown in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 18 is a side view of a service vehicle and a bucket each with a remote device.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bucket and a handheld remote device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXAMPLES

The present invention pertains to ground engaging products and systems for earth working operations for the monitoring of characteristics such as part identification, presence, condition, usage and/or performance of ground engaging products and/or the earth working operations. As examples, the system can be used to monitor ground-engaging products secured to loaders, dragline machines, cable shovels, face shovels, hydraulic excavators, dozers, etc.

Relative terms such as front, rear, top, bottom and the like are used for convenience of discussion. The terms front or forward are generally used to indicate the usual direction of travel of the ground engaging product relative to the earthen material during use (e.g., while digging), and upper or top are generally used as a reference to the surface over which the material generally passes when, for example, it is gathered into the bucket. Nevertheless, it is recognized that in the operation of various earth working equipment the ground engaging products may be oriented in various ways and move in all kinds of directions during use.

For ease of discussion, this application discusses the monitoring of wear parts 9 on a lip 5 of an excavating bucket 3. However, wear parts 9 could be other kinds of wear parts such as a shroud on another kind of lip, a wing shroud on a sidewall of a bucket, a wear edge on a mold board, a corner shoe on bucket, and/or other wear parts that at least partially wrap around an edge or corner, and the like. The shroud, wing shroud, wear edge, etc. will be referred to herein as the wear part 9, and lip, sidewall, mold board, etc. will be referred to as the base 5. In the illustrated example, a mining excavator 1 is equipped with a bucket 3 for gathering earthen material while digging (FIG. 1 ). The illustrated bucket 3 includes a shell 4 defining a cavity 16 for gathering material during the digging operation, a lip 5, and wear parts 7, 9 secured to the lip (FIG. 2 ). Shell 4 includes a top wall 6 having attachment supports 8 to attach the bucket 3 to excavator 1, a bottom wall 10 opposite the top wall 6, a rear wall 12, and a pair of opposing sidewalls 14. Multiple configurations of buckets are known and variations in bucket geometry exist for excavating buckets and, of course, other excavating machines. For example, the bucket may not have a top wall as in a dragline bucket, the bottom wall may be hinged as in a dipper bucket, or a portion of the side walls may be hinged as in a hydraulic face shovel. The specific geometry of the bucket is not intended to be limiting as the present system can be used with various types of buckets and with various types of ground engaging products used on the buckets or other earth working equipment.

In the illustrated example, teeth 7 and shrouds 9 are secured to the lip 5 to protect the digging edge, guide the material into the cavity and/or break up the ground ahead of the bucket 3. Referring to FIG. 3 , the illustrated lip or base 5 has five forwardly projecting noses 17 for receiving teeth 7, and a mounting structure 18 between each pair of adjacent noses 17 for receiving a shroud 9. Other kinds of lips and/or lips with other numbers of noses are possible. The mounting structures 18 are shown as part of the cast lip formation but they could also be provided by bosses or other supports welded (or otherwise secured) to the lip. Plate lips could also be used with adapters secured to the lip for the teeth, and bosses or other supports secured to the lip for the shrouds. Each shroud 9 may be placed over a mounting structure 18 on the lip 5 as illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 3 . Various kinds of cast, forged, fabricated and/or plate lips could be used. In this example, each mounting structure 18 of the base 5 comprises a front surface 30, an upper surface 32, side surfaces 34 and an upstanding boss 36 generally centrally located between the side surfaces 34 and protruding above the upper surface 32. The boss 36 has a rear surface against which the lock 22 abuts when holding the wear part 9 in place. The lock 22 may be similar in design to the locks described in US 7536811 or US 10612214 or have a different design. The upper leg 44 of wear part 9 defines an aperture 66 for receiving lock 22. The wear part 9 and lock 22 collectively define a wear assembly. In other examples, a wear assembly may also be defined as a wear part 9, a base 5, and a lock 22.

The illustrated wear part 9 (FIGS. 4-8 ), provided only as an example, includes a front wearable portion 19 to contact the ground and a rearward-opening cavity 48 to receive the base 5. The wear part 9 includes a pair of spaced apart legs 44, 46 that define a cavity 48 therebetween and that meet along a bight portion 49. The cavity 48 is generally open along its sides so that legs 44, 46 can straddle the base 5, i.e., when the shroud 9 is mounted on the lip 5. In other examples, one leg could be shorter or eliminated. The wear part 9 includes an exterior surface 50 that generally faces away from the base 5, an interior surface 52 that generally faces toward the base 5, and side surfaces 74 extending between the exterior and interior surfaces 50, 52. The side surfaces 74 could be eliminated or appear as rounded corners at all times or at select locations. The exterior, interior and side surfaces 50, 52, 74 can have widely different shapes than what is shown in the drawings. The outer wear surface 50 defines a raised central portion 61 on the upper leg dimensioned to accommodate the base boss 36 in an underside thereof. Likewise, the wear surface 50 on the lower leg 46 includes a lower wear surface 54 (also referred to as a lower or bottom ground engaging surface). In the illustrated example, legs 44, 46 diverge in a rearward direction to define a generally C-shaped configuration to correspond to the portion of the base 5 which it overlies.

The spaced apart legs 44, 46 converge at a front of the shroud 9 to a narrow front edge 58, at the center of which is defined a lifting hook 69 to assist in mounting and/or removal of the shroud 9 onto the base 5. An optional second lifting feature 67 is defined by the upper leg 44 immediately adjacent to, and forward of, the lock aperture 66. The upper leg 44 also defines an upper leg rear edge 63 (best seen in FIGS. 5-6 ) extending across the width thereof. The raised central portion 61 does not extend to the leg rear edge 63, so that the upper leg 44 defines a narrow strip 65 therebetween. Referring to FIGS. 6-7 , the interior surface 52 defines cavity 48, and includes an upper portion 53 along the rear part of upper leg 44, a lower portion 55 along the rear part of lower leg 46, and an intermediate portion or front surface 57 between upper portion 53 and lower portion 55. The intermediate portion 57 includes the transition between upper leg 44 and lower leg 46. In the illustrated example, the intermediate portion 57 includes a recessed central surface 70 and two adjacent flank surfaces 72, i.e., one flank surface 72 to each side of central surface 70. The flank surfaces 72 extend laterally between the central surface 70 and the adjacent side surfaces 74. Recess walls 75 extend between the recessed central surface 70 and flank surfaces 72 to oppose and contact side surface 34 of mounting structure 18. Central surface 70 and recess walls 75 define a recess 77 for receiving mounting structure 18 that extends forward toward the direction of the narrow front edge 58. The central surface 70 faces and contacts against the front surface 30 of mounting structure 18. The flank surfaces 72 are generally opposing front portions 85 of the base 5 adjacent side surfaces 34. The recess 77 could have a different shape or be eliminated when the wear part mounts on a different base.

In the illustrated example, the flank surfaces 72 are identified as those portions of the interior surface laterally outside of recess 77. However, wear parts 9 may not have a central recess or other visible demarcations between the central surface 70 and flank surfaces 72. The flank surfaces 72 are illustrated as an outer third of the width of the interior surface 52, and are preferably the lateral outer fourth (i.e., 25%) or more of the width of the interior surface. In other examples, the flank surfaces may be the outer 5% (FIGS. 9-12 ). The percentages given are intended to be examples; other percentages of flank surface widths are possible. While the monitoring device is preferably mounted on a flank surface 72 in intermediate portion 57 of the interior surface, monitoring device(s) 25 could be secured in any margin surface 83 of wear part 9. A margin surface 83 is that portion of the interior surface 52 that is within an outer third (and preferably outer fourth) of a side surface 74 in a lateral or axial direction. For example, the margin surfaces 83 would include flank surfaces 72. The margin surfaces 83 would also include the rear thirds (or preferably fourths) 87, 89 of each the upper and/or lower portions 53, 55 of the interior surface 52. Securing monitoring device 25 to a margin surface 83, and preferably to a flank surface 72 in the intermediate portion of the interior surface, provides for a more reliably received signal from and/or to the monitoring device 25 as opposed to securing the monitoring device in a central region. Nevertheless, wear parts 9 could include additional sensors secured in a central region (FIGS. 13-14 ).

In the illustrated example, a hole 76 is defined in one of the flank surfaces 72 for mounting a monitoring device 25. Alternatively, one or more monitoring devices 25 could be mounted in other margin surfaces 83 in addition to or in lieu of hole 76 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . Each hole 76 is sized and shaped to receive a monitoring device 25 (see FIG. 7 ). In this example, the monitoring device 25 is secured in the hole 76 by adhesive 31 but other means such as fasteners, friction fit, magnet, threaded housing/hole, etc. could be used. The hole 76 may be filled in with a filler (not shown) in the form of resin, polymer or other suitable material once the monitoring device 25 has been installed within the recess. The filler may be a dielectric material. In one example, the filler is a polymer selected from a group consisting of elastomers, thermoplastics, and thermosets. In alternative examples, the hole 76 may be filled in with a material other than polymers or may not be filled in. Securing the devices 25 in a polymer and/or filling the hole 76 with a polymer may further protect the device 25 from fines, vibrations, impacts and/the like as the ground engaging product engages the material to be excavated. The use of a suitable filler material may optionally function to secure or supplement the securing of the monitoring device in hole 76. Monitoring device 25 can be constructed to be removably secured in hole 76, though it could be permanently secured. Removably securing the monitoring device 25 allows the device 25 to be temporarily installed in the ground engaging product, replaced when it breaks and/or when the battery is depleted, and/or removed at the end of life of the shroud 9. Removal of device 25 may enable easier shipping, and/or conventional recycling of the bases when removed from the equipment. Removal may also permit successive use in other wear parts. Monitoring device 25 could alternatively be secured to a margin surface 83 without a hole 76. As another alternative, the hole 76 may be formed by steps, curves, folds or other shapes in the margin surface 83. The hole 76 could be sized and shaped to correspond to the monitoring device 25 (as shown) or could have a larger or different configuration or could be part of a larger margin surface configuration.

Flank surfaces 72 are preferably curved, angled or positioned to face monitoring device 25 at least partially outward - in this example at least partially laterally outward. In the illustrated example, flank surfaces 72 have a generally convex curvature such that they extend from central surface 70 to a more forward position at the corresponding side surfaces 74 or, alternatively, to the exterior surface 50 if there is no side surface 74. Additionally, the flank surfaces 72 and/or other margin surfaces 83 could be angled, stepped, have a concave curvature, and/or otherwise shaped so as to provide a gap between wear part 9 and base 5, and/or direct the monitoring device at least partially outward (laterally and/or axially) to enhance the reliability of receiving the signals from and/or to the monitoring device 25.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the curvature of the flank surface 72 causes the monitoring device 25 to face at least partially in a lateral direction. In the illustrated example, the central axis 79 of the monitoring device 25 is oriented generally at a lateral angle A to a longitudinal axis 81 of wear part 9. The angle A is preferably larger than 0 and less than 50 degrees (it is illustrated at 37 degrees) but could be 0-90 degrees (FIGS. 10-14 ). As examples, the high (e.g., 90°) and low (e.g., 0°) angles could be achieved with steps or non-uniformly shaped flank surfaces 72 or spacing between the flank surface 72 and the base 5. Through the curvature, angles, steps, etc., the flank surface 72 creates a gap between the wear part 9 and the base 5, and/or at least partially directs the monitoring device partially outward (i.e., not directly into base 5) to enhance the reliability of signals from and/or to the sensor to be received. In the illustrated example, the angled position of monitoring device 25 creates a lateral gap G1 between nose 17 of the lip and an axial gap G2 between the front portion 85 of lip 5. While the provision of a lateral gap G1 and an axial gap G2 is preferred, in certain alternatives the lateral and/or axial gaps could be zero. These gaps G1, G2 collectively define an open gap G, which reduces signal blockage and increases reliability of the system.

There are three factors employed herein to improve the reliability of the signals received by the remote device 38 and/or monitoring device 25 during use of the earth working equipment. First, the spacing of the monitoring device 25 from the base 5 to form a gap G generally enables a stronger or more reliable signal to be received by a remote device 38 from the monitoring device 25 (or vice versa) when the wear part 9 is secured to the base 5. Second, the orienting of the monitoring device 25 at least partially outward (e.g., laterally outward in the illustrated example) enables signals to be more reliably received by the remote and/or monitoring device. Third, the securing of the monitoring device 25 to a margin surface 83 (e.g., outside the central surface 70 - especially when the central surface is recessed) also leads to stronger and/or more reliably received signals by the remote device 38 and/or monitoring device 25. While employing all three factors is preferred, any one or combination of factors can provide beneficial results.

In another illustrated example, referring to FIGS. 9-12 , shrouds 9′ are secured to a lip 5′ to protect the digging edge, guide the material into the cavity and/or break up the ground ahead of, e.g., a front end loader (FEL) bucket 3′ though use on other kinds of buckets is possible. While this illustrated shroud 9′ is designed to fit on a spade (or reverse spade) lip, the disclosed concepts could be used in a shroud to fit on a lip with a straight front edge. Referring to FIG. 9 , the illustrated partial lip or base 5′ shows two forwardly projecting noses 17′ for receiving teeth. A cast lip would ordinarily extend between the sidewalls of the bucket and have additional noses (not shown). Mounting structures 18′, 23′ are then located between each pair of adjacent noses 17′ for receiving a shroud 9′. Each shroud 9′ may be placed over a mounting structure 18′, 23′ on the lip 5′ as illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 9 . In this example, the mounting structures 18′, 23″ are situated along the front edge of the lip and include formations on a top of the lip and a bottom of the lip 5′. The mounting structures 18′, 23′ may be similar in design to the bosses described in U.S. Pub. No. 20190376263 or have a different design. The lock 22′ may be similar in design to the locks described above.

The illustrated wear part 9′ includes a front wearable portion 19′ to contact the ground and a rearward-opening cavity 48′ in a rear mounting portion 21′ to receive the base 5′. The wear part 9′ includes a pair of spaced apart legs 44′, 46′ that define the cavity 48′ therebetween and that meet along a bight portion 49′. The cavity 48′ is generally open along its sides so that legs 44′, 46′ can straddle the base 5′, i.e., when the shroud 9′ is mounted on the lip 5′. The wear part 9′ includes an exterior surface 50′ that generally faces away from the base 5′, an interior surface 52′ that generally faces toward the base 5′, and side surfaces 74′ extending between the exterior and interior surfaces 50′, 52′. In the illustrated example, legs 44′, 46′ diverge in a rearward direction to define a generally C-shaped configuration to correspond to the portion of the base 5′ which it overlies.

Referring to FIGS. 11-12 , the first leg 44′ includes rear surface 63′ and portion of an interior surface 52′ that forms a first or inner surface of cavity 48′. In this example, the interior of the first leg 44′ includes one or more first or inner bearing surfaces 35A that bear against the inner or top surface of the lip when assembled (FIGS. 12 and 14 ). The first bearing surfaces in this example are formed as raised bearing pads or fit pads 35A, though they need not be so formed; the interior surface 52′ itself could form the bearing surface (i.e., without raised bearing surfaces) or there could be other arrangements. A first or clearance recess 77′ is optionally provided in the interior surface 52′ that extends forward from rear bight portion 49′. A first supporting recess 59′ is located on the portion of the interior surface 52 on the first leg 44′ to receive mounting structure 18′. Recess 59′ preferably extends at least partially a greater depth from the interior surface 52′ than first recess 77′ but it need not be. Other configurations are possible, such as at least one of the recesses 42’,59’ may communicate with the clearance recess 77′.

The second or outer leg 46′ includes a portion of the interior surface 52′ that defines a second, lower, or outer surface of cavity 40. This portion of the interior surface 52′ can optionally include one or more second or outer bearing surfaces 35B to bear against the generally planar outer or bottom surface of the lip. In this example, second bearing surfaces 35B are similarly formed as raised bearing or fit pads to the bearings pads 35A, but they need not be; the interior surface 52′ itself could define the bearing surface or there could be another arrangement. The second or lower leg 46′ also includes a second supporting recess 42′ in interior surface 52′ that extends forward from rear mounting end 21′ to receive a second or outer boss 23′. Recesses 42′, 59′ may include linear or angled side surfaces, but other configurations are possible. The bearing surfaces in recesses 42′, 59′ are sized and shaped to oppose and contact side surfaces of mounting structure 18′, 23′. For example, other grooves may exist within the recesses 42′, 59′.

The bight portion 49′ includes the transition between upper leg 44′ and lower leg 46′. In the illustrated example, the bight portion 49′ includes a recessed central surface 70′ within the clearance recess 77′. The bight portion 49′ includes two bearing surfaces or fit pads 35C, e.g., one bearing surface 35C to each side of central surface 70′. The bearing surfaces 35C may extend laterally and linearly (e.g. angle A′ is zero degrees) between the central surface 70′ and the side surfaces 74 of the shroud, but other configurations are possible. Transition steps 74′ are optionally provided between bearing surfaces 35C and recess 77′. The bearing surfaces 35C are generally opposing front portions 85′ of the base 5′. Recess walls 75′ border the recessed central surface 70′. Recess 77′ provides weight savings and/or ensures contact between the bearing surfaces 35C and lip 5′ and/or could receive a projection formed on lip 5. The recess 77′ could have a different shape or be eliminated. The bearing surfaces 35C are illustrated as each being an outer third of the width of the interior surface 52′, but other configurations are possible. For example, the bearing surfaces 35C may be a lateral outer fourth (i.e., 25%) or more of the width of the interior surface 52′.

In this embodiment, the monitoring device 25′ is offset laterally outward from a central location. As illustrated, monitoring device 25′ is mounted on an outer or side portion of bight portion 49′, which in this example is on a bearing surface 35C in the bight portion 49′ of the interior surface 52′. The bearing surface 35C though could be to the side of the monitoring device 25′. The monitoring device(s) 25′ could be secured adjacent one of the outer side surface 74′ of the shroud in a portion of a margin surface 83′ of the wear part 9′. Optionally, a monitoring device 25′ could also (or alternatively) be provided adjacent the other side surface 74′. The margin surface 83′ in this example is that portion of the interior surface 52′ that is within an outer 0-5% of the width adjacent side surface 74′. In the illustrated example, a hole 76′ is defined in one outer edge 72′ of the bearing surfaces 35C for mounting a monitoring device 25′. In such a case, it means that one inner side of the monitor device 25′ is covered and the outer side is at least partially exposed. The monitoring device is still protected by the closeness of the other wear parts. A gap G′ is created from the distance to the lip 5′ to a top of the monitoring device 25′. Securing the monitoring device 25′ to a margin surface 83′ provides for a more reliably received signal from and/or to the monitoring device 25′ as opposed to securing the monitoring device in a central region (without accommodation for the signal as described below) as explained above with the three factors. Alternatively, the monitoring device 25′ could be located at other points along the margin surface (i.e., between the side of the shroud and the central recess or recesses).

In a third example, in FIGS. 13-14 , a second location for the monitoring device 25 is shown in a third wear part 9″. The wear part 9″ is substantially similar to the wear part 9′ of FIG. 9 with a few differences. In the illustrated example, the hole 76″ is located centrally in the central recess 77″, but other locations within the recess 77″ are possible. In this case, a gap G″ is created between the lip 5″ and the monitoring device 25″ (FIG. 14 ). Recesses 42″, 59″ or others (not shown) can allow for signals from and/or to the monitoring device to pass at least partially through the upper and lower legs 44″, 46″ to increase signal reliability. In some examples, the signal may go around the bosses 18′, 23′. For example, a portion of one or more of the surfaces that define recesses 42′, 59′ can be non-bearing so as to define gaps or channels. In one option, at least portions of recess 59′ and/or recess 42′ could be deeper than the received mounting structures 18′, 23′ to form a gap or channel to the rear exterior of the shroud. In another option, portions of the side surfaces defining recess 59′ and/or recess 42′ could be wider than mounting structures 18′, 23′ to form a gap or channel to the rear exterior of the shroud. In another option, additional recesses or channels (not shown) may be provided in the interior surface in communication with the monitoring device and extending to an exterior surface. Such a recess may be a wider recess that encompasses and is parallel to recess 42′ or 59′, or such a recess could extend in a different way to the rear and/or side of the shroud. The formation of a channel in the interior surface 52′ may create a wave guide for the signal to escape through a gap created between the mounting structure 18, 23 and the wear part 9″.The illustrated arrangement enables the signal transmitted to or by monitoring device 25″ to be at least partially guided by the recesses 42′, 59 acting as wave guides to more easily and reliably be received by remote device 38 or other monitoring device.

A monitoring system includes a remote device 38, the monitoring device 25, and a processor to make a determination as explained below. A remote device 38 is one remote from the wear part 9 that receives and/or transmits signals from and/or to monitoring device 25. Remote device 38 could be one or more antenna, receiver, transceiver and/or transmitter that, as examples, could be mounted to the bucket, the earth working machine, a ground-engaging product (e.g. mesh network), a service vehicle, a station, etc. The remote device 38 could be a single component or a collection of components at a single location or various locations and/or working together or at different times.

Earth working equipment is commonly used in arduous environments. The placement of monitoring device 25 on the interior surface 52 generally protects the monitoring device from being damaged by the earthen materials. Having the monitoring device 25 within a hole 76 in the wear part 9 also tends to protect the monitoring device 25. The arrangements described herein help the signals transmitted to or by monitoring device 25 to be more easily and reliably received by remote device 38 or monitoring device 25 as compared to installing monitoring device 25 on the central interior of the part, e.g., within recess 77.

The monitoring device 25 may be installed in hole 76 as a part of the manufacturing process, in a shop and/or in the field. When the monitoring device 25 is installed in hole 76 at the time of manufacture, it may optionally be used to track shipping progress, inventory levels of the ground engaging products (e.g., shrouds 9), and/or when ground engaging products are removed from inventory for use. In addition, the monitoring device 25 may optionally be able to detect if the ground engaging product experienced a condition (e.g., a high impact) that has the potential to damage the ground engaging product during shipping and/or use. Alternatively, monitoring device 25 may be installed after the manufacturing process and may, for example, be installed in hole 76 while in inventory or at the time of installation of a new ground engaging product on the earth working equipment. In the illustrated example, a monitoring device 25 is provided to monitor a shroud 9 mounted on a bucket 3.

The monitoring device 25 may also optionally monitor characteristics of the wear part, base, earth working operations and/or earth working machines. Such characteristics could include the part identification, usage, presence, condition and/or performance of the wear part, base, operations and/or machine. As an example, the monitoring, sensors, signals, etc. used could be as disclosed in U.S. Pat. 10,011,975, which is incorporated herein by reference. The monitoring of separation as well as other characteristics can be accomplished in a number of different ways. For example, the sensors may include a temperature sensor, a digital inclinometer unit, a digital compass, an accelerometer, a timer, a proximity sensor, a position sensor, a hall effect sensor, a flux magnetometer, a magnetometer, a magnetoresistance sensor, an inductive sensor, RFID tag and/or reader, IR receiver, ultrasonic and/or other sensors that can detect the presence and/or absence of the ground engaging product secured to the base and/or other characteristics of the wear part and/or base. These and/or other sensors (e.g., a strain gauge) can be used to determine other characteristics such as impact, usage, etc. Some sensors involve the use of a proximity device on the base (e.g., an RFID tag, magnet, and the like) and some do not involve such use of a tag or other proximity device on the lock and/or wear part. As an example, sensors, tags and/or proximity devices such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Application 16/888389 filed May 29, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference. When dislocation is detected, the sensor can send a wireless signal to a remote device to, e.g., alert the operator, maintenance personnel, manager, contractor, etc. that a wear part has separated from the machine.

In a digging operation, the ground engaging product experiences loading and impact from various directions, and in a wide range of severity and durations. Through this process, the monitoring device and/or remote device can determine, e.g., the condition of the ground engaging product when the gathered information is processed by programmable logic. The system may also take into consideration other considerations such as the type of ground engaging product, the kind and/or size of the earth working machine, the nature of the earthen material (e.g., abrasiveness, hardness, fragmentation, etc.), etc. to fine tune a determination of the anticipated useful life of the wear part (and/or base). With or without the additional considerations, the monitoring device and monitoring system can be used to determine remaining useful life to permit planning for wear part replacement. The monitoring device can, as examples, be used to detect such things as the number of passes of the wear part (and base) through earthen material, the applied loads on the wear part, stresses in the wear part, the durations of loading, penetrability, digging rate, the presence or absence of the wear part on the earth working equipment, level of wearing of the wear part, etc.

In one example, the monitoring device 25 could operate continually or it could operate, e.g., only when movement is detected, when the wear part separated, or on account of other circumstances. Continual operation provides the added benefit of ensuring the monitoring device is still operating and/or sensing characteristics. A monitoring device may optionally increase the magnitude and/or speed of repetition of the signal it transmits when absence, breakage, a worn state, etc. of the wear part is detected so as to increase the likelihood the remote device 38 receives the signal indicating the wear part needs replacement. Increasing the likelihood, the remote device receives the signal can improve the reliability of the monitoring system.

Including monitoring device 25 in wear part 9 can also optionally detect if the base 5 or shroud 9 has separated from the earth working equipment. As one example, the monitoring device 25 could include an accelerometer, temperature sensor and/or other sensors to detect separation of the wear part and transmit signals to the remote device 38. When a wear part is lost, the monitoring device may optionally transmit an identifying signal at the moment of separation and/or while separated to increase the likelihood of locating the lost wear part. The monitoring device 25 may optionally include additional sensors (e.g., one or more of a GPS, accelerometer, inclinometer, a digital compass, an RFID, an accelerometer, a timer, a proximity sensor, a force sensor, a position sensor, etc.), which can determine the path of the last digging cycle or bucket payload or location of the wear part so the lost wear part may be found.

A plurality of monitoring devices 25 could be provided in a single wear part 9 to monitor the wear (or other characteristic) on different surfaces or at different portions of the same surface, or to monitor different characteristics of the use (e.g., presence, position, impact, strain, etc.). Additionally, a plurality of monitoring devices 25 could be provided to monitor multiple ground engaging products (shrouds, points, intermediate adapters, etc.) connected to the bucket.

Referring to FIGS. 15-17 , the illustrated monitoring device 25 includes a housing 33, a sensor 35, an elastic member 37, a communication device, and a battery 40. These components may be combined. For example, the sensor 35 may include a circuit board that includes at least one sensor component to detect at least one characteristic of the wear assembly (e.g., the presence of the wear part), a communication device (e.g., a transmitter and/or receiver) for wirelessly communicating information (e.g., a signal 62 indicating the wear part has separated from the machine) to and/or from a remote device 38 (FIG. 1 ) to receive the signal 62, and a battery 40. These can be different components working together or they may be combined (e.g., the sensor 35 and communication device 36 may be the same component). The monitoring device 25 could also have other constructions and/or other components. For example, the monitoring device 25 can include multiple sensors for redundancy and/or sensing other characteristics (e.g., high impact events, digging cycles, etc.), storage mediums for holding data (e.g., the part ID, software, firmware, etc.), a GPS device, and/or a microprocessor for processing data or other information. A monitoring device 25 may also be a passive system without a transmitter or battery.

In one example, the electronics or components of monitoring device 25 are positioned in a housing 33. The housing 33 can aid in supporting the monitoring device components, positioning the sensor 35, and/or providing protection for the components monitoring device 25. The housing 33 may be situated to fit within the recess 76, such that the outer surface 50 of the housing 33 engages the inner surfaces of the hole 76. In one example, the hole 76 converges toward one end, and the housing 33 converges generally in parallel with the inner surfaces of the hole 76 (e.g., 5° ±0.5 degrees of convergence) at housing end 64. The housing 33, though, could be secured in hole 76 in other ways; for example, the hole could be secured by adhesive, fasteners, friction, supports, etc. The monitoring device 25 may also be fit in hole 76 without contacting the walls of the hole; for example, a body or filler material 31 may be included in and/or around housing 33. In another implementation, the housing 33 could also be omitted.

The housing 33 is illustrated as two components, an upper cap 43 and a lower cup 45 (FIG. 10 ). The upper cap 43 includes a tool engaging projection or removal feature 53 on one end 55 of an outside surface 50. The removal feature 53 may be used by an operator to pull, rotate, pry, or break free the housing 33 out of the recess to ease sensor removal for replacement or end of life disposal. In the illustrated example, the removal feature 53 is shown as a hex tab that is situated above the side interior surface 72, though other configurations are possible. The projection 53 offers a means to allow for removal of the monitoring device, but also increases the height H of the overall monitoring device to aid in said removal (FIG. 9 ). The height H may extend above the side interior surface 72. The removal feature 53 may be engaged and moved in an outward direction away from the recess 76 so that the removal feature 65 is above the top surface 61 of the body. The removal feature 53 may be used to initially effect movement of the housing 33 out of the recess 76, and removal feature 53 may be used to completely remove the monitoring device 35 from the recess 76. The removal feature 53 may have a removal feature (not shown) in the form of a recess that is designed to be engaged with a tool. The tool may engage the removal feature to rotate the body out of the recess 76.

Other tool engaging surfaces are possible. The other end 57 may include a recess 59. The recess being sized and shaped to position the elastic member 37 in the recess. The elastic member may be an O-ring that is used as a buffer (e.g. space) to allow for deformation of the upper cap 43 without damaging the circuiting below. In other examples, the elastic member 37 may be a full protective plastic plate as an alternative for providing a protective buffer. At one end 68 of the lower cup 45 includes an open top 47 but it could have other forms. The circuitry of the sensor 35 is positioned within the lower cup 45 through the open top 47. Monitoring devices 35 free of such moving parts have less risk of failure due to accumulation of fines, damage caused by impacts, and the like. Monitoring devices free of such moving parts can also be encased and more securely protected by a body or filler material. In the illustrated example, a body 31 is a material that envelopes the sensor 35 within the housing 33 and the empty space created by open top 47 and recess 59, but it could be used to cover and/or fill less than these components and/or spaces. For example, the body 31 may also be composed of several sub components and fully encase the sensor 35. The body 31 can protect the sensor 35 from water, fines, corrosive material and the like, and/or from impacts, strains and the like that may occur during use. The body 31 may be a filler material in the form of resin, polymer, polyurethane, or other suitable material. It may be the same material as the adhesive body 31 used to secure the monitoring device 35 within the recess 76. The body 31 may be a dielectric material to improve transmission of the wireless signals. The body 31 may be composed of elastomers, thermoplastics, thermosets, and/or other non-conductive materials.

Monitoring devices 25 (or any other examples) may communicate with a remote device 38, which simply means a device remote from the monitoring device 25. The remote device 38 could be on the top wall 6 of the bucket 3 (FIG. 2 ). The remote device 38 can, for example, be secured to one or more of the bucket 3 (FIGS. 18-19 ), the boom 2, the stick 20, the cab 24 of the digging machine 1 (FIG. 1 ), a service truck (FIG. 18 ), a drone, a handheld device 39 (FIG. 19 ), a haulage truck, a station, etc. The remote device 38 can be a single component or a collection of components working together or separately. For example, a remote device 38 may include one or more of a processer 198 (PC, microprocessor, etc.), memory 200, a database 194, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver 60, etc. (FIG. 1 ). The remote device 38 may include one or more receivers (e.g., antennae) to receive the wireless signals 62 from the monitoring device(s) 25, a transmitter(s) to transmit signals, or a transceiver 60, a processor(s) to process information received from the monitoring device(s), a database(s) to store information, a human-machine interface(s), etc. The remote device 38 may communicate with additional sensors on the shroud 9, other ground engaging products, multiple ground engaging products, earth working equipment 1, and/or with a database(s) and/or computing system(s). The remote device 38, for example, may be a wireless device or a wired device.

The monitoring device 25 and/or remote device 38 may, for example, include a transceiver 60, for example, a radio frequency communication device, an electromagnetic wave receiver and/or transmitter, a mechanical wave receiver and/or transmitter, and/or Global Positioning System (GPS). The electromagnetic waves may have a wavelength outside of the visible spectrum (e.g., infrared, microwave, or Radio Frequency [RF]), and may be in the ultrasonic spectrum. As one example, the communication device could transmit a Bluetooth signal at 2.4 Gigahertz, but other means and other frequencies could be used.

In one example, the monitoring device 25 sends a wireless signal 62 regarding the detected characteristic(s) to the remote device 38 (FIG. 1 ). The signal 62 may, e.g., be continual, intermittent, batch, event driven, etc. In the illustrated example, the signal 62 is received by a transceiver 60 (e.g., an antenna) of remote device 38 mounted on the boom 2 of the excavator 1 (FIG. 1 ). An antenna 60 can be provided in other positions and/or mounted on different supports (e.g., on the bucket 3, near the cab 24, etc.) in lieu of or in addition to the antenna on the boom. The antenna 60 on the cab 24 in this example is shown wired 197 to a programmable logic device or processor 198 having memory 200 in the cab 24 but could have a different connection or location. For example, an antenna 60 or other receiver could be mounted near the cab, on a service truck, on a handheld device 39, etc. The antenna 60 could be coupled to a wireless transmitter such that the information received from the monitoring device 25 and sent to the remote device 38 in the cab, may be provided to and/or combined with data from a handheld device 39, cloud database 194, other data sources, etc. to provide helpful information and/or analysis. Multiple antennas 60 could be used to increase the reliability of picking up the signal if desired or needed for the operation.

In cases where signals can only be received at certain times, monitoring device 25 and/or remote device 38 may transmit only during certain times (e.g., when the bucket is oriented in a particular way, when a trigger signal is received, etc.) or may continue to transmit continually. The monitoring device 25 may optionally transmit only when sensor detects the lock and/or wear part has separated from the base. Further, multiple remote devices and/or antennas could be used to receive information from the monitoring device continually or during longer periods even if the signal can only be accessed by the antenna on the boom 2 during certain intervals. A component of the remote device 38 may receive a signal 62 from a monitoring device 25 and relay the signal 62 to a second or third component of the remote device (FIG. 1 ). Any number of remote device components may be used to relay the signals as needed. The movement of the digging machine 1, including the individual articulated components thereof, and/or other vehicles at the worksite may tend to establish and reestablish the interrelationships of the sensors and communication devices. In this way, various and numerous communication paths may be established despite the great number of potentially shielding surfaces at the worksite.

The term remote device 38 herein encompasses all such variations. Various examples may locate one or more components of the remote device 38 at predetermined points on the digging machine 1 and/or other vehicles 26 and pieces of equipment and/or in office space. Various examples may include mobile and handheld devices 39 as components of the remote device (FIG. 15 ). Examples may provide electronic canvassing of the sensors and/or communication devices to inventory the data collected. The data may be combined with previously known data and/or data collected from other locations. One or more processor may be utilized to manipulate the data into various machine usable and human usable formats, and/or to make various assessments.

The monitoring device 25 and the remote device 38 can be designed to communicate with each other in different ways and no one particular way is needed. For example, the monitoring device 25 could be designed to only transmit information and the remote device 38 designed to only receive information from the monitoring device 25. In other examples, the monitoring device 25 and the remote device 38 could be designed to communicate back and forth with each other. The communication may use various communication protocols, for example, without limitation, continuous, event driven, on demand, batch communication. Irrespective of the manner or timing of the communication, the information can be received and processed historically or as a real-time assessment. For example, if the signal is only available during a portion of the digging cycle, the remote device 38 can still receive batch information of all the characteristics detected when the signal could not be accessed.

The remote device 38 and/or the monitoring device 25 may on their own, collectively, and/or with other devices, and/or software applications, and the like (e.g., data 200 from a database 194 in, for example, a cloud database, other processors, etc.), store, process and/or communicate information or data 200 related to a characteristic of the wear part. Monitoring device 25 may along with detecting separation also optionally (or in lieu of detecting separation) include one or more sensors for identifying other characteristics of the wear assembly besides separation of the wear part including, for example, part ID, usage, strain, temperature, acceleration, inclination, etc. of a ground engaging product such as shroud 9 or other wear assembly for earth working equipment. (FIG. 1 ). Information related to the part ID can include such things as ground engaging product type, part number, customer, brand name, trademark, manufacturer, bill of materials, etc. The part ID may be used as search criteria in order to retrieve additional information regarding the specific ground engaging product. The search criteria may be used to query one or more relational databases and/or broader data structures. Information related to usage can include such things as the kind of machine to which the ground engaging product is secured, time the ground engaging product went into service, how many digging cycles the ground engaging product has experienced, average time of the digging cycles, location of the ground engaging product on the machine, impact events, etc. Information related to condition of the ground engaging product can include such things as wear, impact, damage, strain in the ground engaging product, load on the ground engaging product, etc. Information related to performance can include such things as the rate of digging, force needed to penetrate the ground, digging cycle duration, operation cycle duration, average time for digging cycle, average time for operation cycle, number of digging cycles in an operation cycle, etc. These characteristics could also be used in connection with information regarding the mine geology, material fragmentation and/or other information for, e.g., determining timetables for excavating material, replacement schedules for ground engaging products, etc. These monitored characteristics are given as examples only and are not intended to be limiting. Information may be shared with, i.e., sent to and/or received from, various other machines including programmable logic, various other ground-engaging product sensors (e.g. mesh network), other networks, and used with various software applications, and routines.

For all the examples, the monitoring device 25 and/or remote device 38 can use programmable logic to process information generated from, e.g., monitoring devices 25, databases (e.g., with worksite information) and/or the remote devices 38 for identifying characteristics such as the part ID, presence, condition, usage and/or performance of the ground engaging product being monitored and/or providing alerts to the operator. Processors (e.g., microprocessors), using programmable logic may be part of monitoring device 25 and/or a remote device 38. The programmable logic included in a remote device may, for example, use information received from monitoring device 25 to identify that the product 9 is still secured to the base 18. Such information may be a variety of different data.

When the product has unexpectedly been separated from the base 18, the monitoring device 25 may send a different signal indicating a change in the condition of the product 9. In another example, the processor 198 may use information about the geology of the mine site in combination with the wear information from monitoring device 25 to determine, e.g., the estimated wear life remaining for the product. In another example, the processor 198 may use the number of digging cycles or the duration that a ground engaging product has been in service to determine the estimated wear life remaining. The processor 198 may be programed to produce a precautionary alert that a specific product is close to needing replacement. The alert may be, for example, a visual alert, haptic feedback, and/or an audio alert. The devices 25 and/or 38 may wirelessly provide the alerts to equipment operators and/or wireless devises for access by the operator or others such as maintenance personnel, mine site managers or the like. In addition, the programmable logic may be programed to produce an alert if the condition indicates, e.g., that the ground engaging product has been unexpectedly separated from the base, broken, or is at or near a fully worn condition.

In one implementation, the results and alerts from the process may be sent to at least one Human-Machine Interface (HMI) 41. The HMI could, e.g., be a handheld device 39 as shown in FIG. 19 , mounted in a cab of a vehicle such as a digging machine or haul truck, or in an on-site or off-site location. The features, events, data or the like detected by the monitoring device can be processed with other collected or stored data by programmable logic to determine a wide variety of factors that may influence the machine operator. The system may make determinations by including outside factors such as the hardness or abrasiveness of the earthen material being worked, the material composition of the ground engaging product being monitored, etc. Also, as discussed earlier, the system may be coordinated with a ground-engaging inventory and supply system. The system may also be coordinated with other kinds of information such as scheduled maintenance to determine the most efficient time to replace or maintain the ground engaging product being monitored. In turn, the HMI 41 can on the basis of the detected features and/or processed information provide alerts, data, expected wear lives, and the like for more efficient use of the earth working equipment.

The HMI 41 may be hard wired or may be a wireless device, may be integrated with a display system currently in the excavating equipment (e.g., with the OEM display), integrated with a new display system within the excavating equipment, and/or may be in a remote location. The HMI 41 may be configured to provide a graphical display of the current condition of the ground engaging product. The HMI 41 may, for example, provide visual alerts (e.g., text and/or pictorial images), haptic feedback (e.g., vibrations), and/or audio alerts regarding each ground engaging product. The visual alert may be, for example, a graphical picture displaying each ground engaging product and the condition of each ground engaging product (i.e., absent/present, needing maintenance, etc.). The HMI 41 may be designed to display a live image of the ground engaging product so that an operator can visually check that an alert is valid. The HMI 41 may be designed to display a history chart so that an operator can determine when an alert happened so that an operator can take the necessary actions if a ground engaging product is unexpectedly separated. The HMI 41 may include a display 51. The display 51 may include various visual indicators including but not limited to: photographs or real time images of, for example, similar ground engaging products from a database; photographs taken with camera at the worksite, such as with camera 190 on boom 2 (FIG. 1 ); remaining wear life; bucket configuration; etc.

In one example, a camera could be attached to, e.g., the bucket 3, the boom 2, the stick 20, the machine 1, handheld device 39, drone, service truck 26, or other support to provide a visual double check for the operator. When the machine display (or another) receives an alert that, e.g., a ground engaging product has separated, a display showing the visual image within the cab can be checked to ensure the noted ground engaging product is actually missing from the bucket. The checking may use computer vision, which has been programmed to look for ground engaging products in a specific location. This backup system can reduce false alarms that cause the operator to stop operation of the machine.

In another example, systems involving cameras such as used in prior art systems or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Application 2016/0237640, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, can be used in combination with the monitoring systems described in this application. The information received from the camera-based systems can be used as a backup double check to reduce the number of false alarms. Alternatively, the monitoring devices 25 disclosed herein could be a backup double check for the camera-based monitoring systems. Further, the data collected by both a camera-based monitoring system and a non-camera based monitoring system (such as disclosed herein) could be collectively processed to determine, e.g., the part ID, presence, usage, condition and/or performance of the ground engaging product. The full data received by both systems could lead to more reliable conclusions and assessments. The performance of the ground engaging product could be related to the number of digging cycles and/or the length of said digging cycles. Digging cycles may be measured from the time of impact with the ground to the next impact with the ground. Digging cycles may also be measured as operational cycles, which is the amount of time required to fill a load container.

The monitoring device 25 may also communicate with other computer systems, wirelessly or through a cable, the specific ground engaging product(s) needing maintenance either because the ground engaging product is separated or because there is an indication that the ground engaging product may need maintenance. The monitoring device may store all the results from the process.

In another example, a monitoring device 25 can be used to generate data usable to map a mine site or other earth working site to estimate characteristics of the ground-engaging products on earth working equipment used at the site. For example, the gathered data could be used to generate contour-style mapping of wear rates for ground-engaging products to better determine such things as product replacement schedules, costs, etc. In one example, the data gathered by device 25 could be combined with other data such as mine geology, GPS data, fragmentation, etc. The data could be used to map other characteristics or process the site data in ways other than mapping to generate similar information.

The above disclosure describes specific examples products and systems for identifying characteristics such as the part ID, condition, usage, presence and/or performance of a ground engaging product used on earth working equipment. The features in one example can be used with features of another example. The examples given and the combination of features disclosed are not intended to be limiting in the sense that they must be used together. 

1. A wear part for securing to a base of earth working equipment comprising: an interior surface that opposes the base and includes a margin surface situated adjacent an exterior surface that engages the ground; a recess in the margin surface; and a monitoring device secured in the recess.
 2. The wear part of claim 1 wherein the monitoring device is positioned so that a gap exists between a rearward face of the monitoring device and the base.
 3. The wear part of claim 1, wherein the recess has a central axis that is angled laterally from a longitudinal direction of assembly of the wear part on the base.
 4. The wear part of claim 1, wherein a central axis of the recess is at an angle of 0 to 90 degrees to a longitudinal direction of assembly of the wear part on the base.
 5. The wear part of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device is located on a laterally outer third of a width of the interior surface.
 6. The wear part of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device is located on a laterally outer 5% of a width of the interior surface.
 7. The wear part of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device is located on a top leg, a bottom leg, or a bight portion of the margin surface.
 8. The wear part of claim 1, wherein the wear part is a shroud.
 9. The wear part of claim 1, wherein the recess has a greater height on a portion of the recess that is more laterally inward.
 10. The wear part of claim 2, wherein the interior surface includes a fitting pad to engage the base and the recess is located at least partially within the fitting pad.
 11. A wear part comprising an upper leg; a lower leg; and a bight portion that connects the upper and lower legs, wherein each of the legs and bight portion define an interior surface facing a direction of mounting with a base, the bight portion including a recessed portion for receiving a base for mounting the wear part to earth working equipment, and wherein each leg includes a recess that opens in the rear of the wear part and is located within the recessed portion is a recess sized and shaped to secure a monitoring device.
 12. A shroud for mounting on a front edge portion of a bucket, the shroud comprising: a pair of spaced legs to straddle the front edge portion; an interior surface including an inner surface of each of the legs and a front surface connecting the inner surfaces, the interior surface being configured to define a cavity to receive the front edge portion of the bucket, the cavity having a central cavity axis that extends rearwardly from the front surface; and a monitoring device secured to the interior surface laterally offset from the central cavity axis.
 13. The shroud of claim 12 wherein the interior surface includes a recess having a central recess axis that is laterally angled relative to the central cavity axis, and the monitoring device is secured in the recess.
 14. The shroud of claim 12 wherein the interior surface includes a central surface to contact the front edge portion, and a flank surface to each lateral side of the central surface, and wherein each of the flank surfaces curves outwardly and forwardly from the central surface, and includes a recess having a central recess axis that is laterally angled relative to the central cavity axis, and a monitoring device secured in the recess.
 15. The shroud of claim 12, wherein the monitoring device is spaced from the front edge portion.
 16. A shroud for mounting on a front edge of a bucket, the shroud comprising: a pair of spaced legs to straddle the front edge portion; an interior surface defined by an inner surface of each of the legs and a front surface connecting the inner surfaces, and configured to define a cavity to receive the front edge portion, wherein the interior surface includes (i) bearing surfaces to contact the front edge portion and (ii) a recess with a base surface that is spaced inward of the bearing surfaces to define a gap between the base surface and the front edge portion; and a monitoring device secured to the interior surface within the recess such that the monitoring device is spaced inward of the bearing surface and spaced from the front edge portion.
 17. The shroud of claim 15 wherein the recess extends from the exterior surface to a first location spaced from the exterior surface, and the monitoring device is secured to the interior surface in communication with the recess.
 18. A shroud for mounting on a front edge of a bucket, the shroud comprising: a pair of spaced legs to straddle the front edge portion; an exterior surface; an interior surface defined by an inner surface of each of the legs and a front surface connecting the inner surfaces, and configured to define a cavity to receive the front edge portion, wherein the interior surface includes (i) bearing surfaces to contact the front edge portion and (ii) a recess extending from the exterior surface to a first location spaced from the exterior surface; and a monitoring device secured to the interior surface in communication with the recess.
 19. A shroud for mounting on a front edge of a bucket, the shroud comprising: a pair of spaced legs to straddle the front edge portion; an interior surface defined by an inner surface of each of the legs and a front surface connecting the inner surfaces, configured to define a cavity to receive the front edge portion, the cavity having a central cavity axis that extends rearwardly from the front surface, wherein the interior surface includes a central surface to contact the front edge portion, and a flank surface to each lateral side of the central surface, and wherein each of the flank surfaces curves outwardly and forwardly from the central surface, and includes a recess having a central recess axis that is laterally angled relative to the central cavity axis; a monitoring device secured in the recess.
 20. The shroud of claim 19 wherein the central surface defines a recess for receiving a support of the front edge portion.
 21. The shroud of claim 12, including a hole for receiving a lock to releasably secure the shroud to the front edge portion.
 22. The shroud of claim 12, wherein the interior surface includes a pocket to receive a support secured to the front edge portion.
 23. A bucket comprising a shell defining a containment portion to receive earthen materials, the shell including a front edge portion, and a shroud including: a pair of spaced legs to straddle the front edge portion; an interior surface including an inner surface of each of the legs and a front surface connecting the inner surfaces, the interior surface being configured to define a cavity to receive the front edge portion of the bucket, the cavity having a central cavity axis that extends rearwardly from the front surface; and a monitoring device secured to the interior surface laterally offset from the central cavity axis.
 24. The bucket of claim 23 wherein the monitoring device opposes and is spaced from the front edge portion. 